________________
General Conception of Knowledge
181 cannot be regarded as an object of perception."
The Jainas also hold knowledge as self-manifest. It is like the lamp which illumines the object as well as itself. The selfmanifestation and the manifestation of the object are not two functions. It is one function, where all the three factors of knowledge, the self and the object appear simultaneously.
The Jina Stand-point clarified
The theory of manifestation or illumination implies that our knowledge solely depends upon experience. Whatever we know is given, and enjoys an existence independent of the mind. Not only the substances or physical qualities but the relations, class concepts and all other categories have their objective existence.
According to Jainism a thing is possessed of an infinite oumber of attributes and characteristics. Out of them certain qualities are natural (svabhāva) while others are derivative (Vibhāva) i. e. caused by external association. Consciousness in Jiva is a natural quality. It is neither produced nor destroyed. The Jiva does not depend upon any external factor for its possession. But the possession of divine or human body is not independent. The Jiva depends upon pudgala or other factors for their possession. They are not natural. Similarly, pudgala has corporeality as its natural quality. But, its transformation into a physical body is derivative. According to the Vedānta, the natural qualities are real, while others unreal. But, according to Jainism, there is no difference between the two as far as reality is concerned. Perishability or permanence have no value in this respect. Everything that exists, temporary or perm nent, natural or derivative, is on the same level as far as reality is concerned. All of them are objective and external.
Reality is not confined to the Existence only
Further, the Jaina does not believe that reality is confined to the existences only; which is only an aspect of it. The reality
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
